The GLP-1 Connection: Boosting GLP-1 Naturally through Microbiome Mastery

Your gut microbiome is a pivotal player in your overall metabolic health. One of its significant roles involves influencing the production of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone integral to regulating blood sugar, insulin secretion, appetite, and weight management. In developed countries such as ours, factors including the Western diet, physical inactivity and chronic stress contribute to depletion of the microbes that stimulate GLP-1 production. But all is not lost, keep reading for dietary and lifestyle ways to replenish your microbiome and improve your metabolic health.

Key Microbial Allies

If you are a Carolina Total Wellness patient, your doctor may have asked you to submit a stool test to assess the presence of various specific microbes in your GI tract. Recent research shows that certain gut bacteria are particularly influential in promoting GLP-1 secretion.

Three ways these tiny creatures influence GLP-1 production:

Fermenting the fiber you eat to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and stimulate GLP-1 secretion by intestinal cells.
Modulating bile acids. Increasing levels to promote GLP-1 secretion.
Increasing GLP-1 receptor sensitivity, thereby improving the hormone’s ability to regulate glucose metabolism and appetite.

Several keystone bacteria are known ‘influencers’ when it comes to the above processes. Some you may look for on your stool test results include Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Faecali- bacterium prausnitzii and Lactobacillus. Akkermansia is especially known for its role in supporting GLP-1 production. Check out last week’s newsletter from our own Dr. Miraloglu to learn more about Akkermansia.

Functional Strategies to Enhance GLP-1 Naturally

To support natural GLP-1 production through microbiome modulation, consider the following approaches:

Increase Prebiotic Fiber Intake: Foods rich in soluble fiber, such as oats, asparagus, garlic, onions, microgreens, flaxseeds, legumes, and sweet potatoes, serve as prebiotics, nourishing beneficial gut bacteria and promoting short chain fatty acid production (SCFA).
Incorporate Fermented Foods: Regular consumption of fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut introduces beneficial microbes that can support gut health and GLP-1 secretion.
Supplement Wisely: Specific probiotic supplements can ‘seed’ your microbiome with akkermansia and other beneficial bacteria. Compounds like berberine and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have been shown to support metabolic health and may enhance GLP-1 levels. Talk to your provider about which supplements may be the best fit for your unique microbiome.
Diversify Plant Intake: Aim for a variety of plant-based foods to promote microbial diversity, which is linked to robust GLP-1 responses. Can you eat at least 20 different plants each week? Think outside the box, some particularly effective ideas include black or green tea, fruits and vegetables rich in polyphenol antioxidants like apples, beans, berries, cloves, dark chocolate, olives, plums, concord grapes, cranberries and rhubarb.
Manage Stress: The gut-brain axis is strong. When you experience chronic, unmanaged stress your body diverts resources from the gut to respond to the stress. Regular exercise, a contemplative practice like meditation or yoga and consistent, quality sleep are all beneficial to your microbiome.

The Positive Feedback Loop

Enhancing GLP-1 production not only improves metabolic parameters but also fosters a healthier gut environment. This creates a beneficial cycle where a balanced microbiome supports GLP-1 secretion, and increased GLP-1 further promotes gut health.

By focusing on dietary and lifestyle interventions that support the gut microbiome, we can naturally enhance GLP-1 production, offering a holistic approach to metabolic health. This aligns with the functional medicine principle of addressing root causes rather than merely managing symptoms.

See your functional medicine team at Carolina Total Wellness for tailored recommendations to optimize your microbiome and GLP-1 production.

To schedule an appointment with one of our certified Functional Medicine Physicians, please give us a call. We are excited to partner with you on your journey to optimize your health and wellness through personalized care tailored to your unique needs.

919.999.0831

Your Partner In Health,

Erica Nelson

Health Coach
Carolina Total Wellness

FAQ

WHAT IS GLP- 1 , ANYWAYS?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. It is a hormone, produced in the intestine and important for regulating blood sugar, insulin secretion, appetite, and weight management.

WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE ON GLP- 1 MEDICATIONS?

In developed countries such as ours, factors including the Western diet, physical inactivity and chronic stress contribute to depletion of the microbes that stimulate GLP-1 production. People with lower GLP-1 production are more susceptible to a wide variety of maladies including (but not limited to) diabetes, obesity, bowel diseases and metabolic disorders.

HOW CAN I HELP MY BODY MAKE MORE OF MY OWN GLP- 1 ?

Increase prebiotic fiber and fermented food intake, eat at least 20 different plants each week, manage stress and consider supplementing with a probiotic known to support GLP-1 production.

April 11, 2025April 9, 2025

Unveiling the Buzz! The Surprising Benefits of Akkermansia

Akkermansia is a fascinating bacterium that plays a key role in maintaining gut health and may offer potential benefits for metabolic health, obesity, and inflammation. Research into its therapeutic applications continues to evolve, and it could be a key player in future microbiome-based treatments.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY POINTS OF AKKERMANSIA?

1. Role in the Gut:

Akkermansia muciniphila is a type of mucin-degrading bacterium, meaning it breaks down mucin, which is a major component of the mucus lining the intestines. By doing this, Akkermansia helps maintain the integrity of the gut lining and may play a role in gut health.

2. Health Benefits:

Research suggests that Akkermansia may have several beneficial effects on health, including:

Improving Gut Barrier Function: It helps in maintaining a healthy mucus layer in the intestines, which acts as a barrier to harmful pathogens and supports gut health.
Metabolic Health: Studies have shown that higher levels of Akkermansia muciniphila are linked to improved metabolic health. It may help with weight management and insulin sensitivity, potentially reducing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: Akkermansia may help reduce inflammation, which is associated with many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and others.
Gut Microbiome Balance: Akkermansia is considered a “beneficial” bacterium, and higher levels of it may be associated with a more diverse and healthy gut microbiome, which is crucial for overall health.

3. Factors Affecting Its Levels:

The levels of Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut can be influenced by various factors, including diet, lifestyle, and overall gut health. For example:

Dietary Fiber: A diet rich in dietary fiber, especially from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can promote the growth of Akkermansia.
Prebiotics and Probiotics: Certain prebiotic fibers and probiotics might help increase the abundance of Akkermansia in the gut.
Obesity and Metabolic Disorders: Lower levels of Akkermansia have been found in individuals with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

4. Potential Therapeutic Uses:

Researchers are investigating the use of Akkermansia muciniphila in therapeutic applications, including as a probiotic. The potential benefits include:

Weight Management: Studies have suggested that Akkermansia supplementation may help with weight loss and metabolic health, although more research is needed.
Gut Health: Akkermansia supplementation may help restore balance to the gut microbiome and improve conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or IBD.
Type 2 Diabetes: There is ongoing research into how Akkermansia may help improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

5. Research and Future Directions:

While much of the current research into Akkermansia is still in the experimental stages, its potential for improving gut health and metabolic conditions is promising. However, more clinical trials are necessary to fully understand its therapeutic applications and optimal usage.

At Carolina Total Wellness, we evaluate the levels of Akkermansia through a stool test and treat you accordingly on whether this probiotic would benefit you.

Come see us about what the hype is all about!

919.999.0831

September 9, 2022November 28, 2022

ANTIBIOTICS AND THE GUT MICROBIOME

Didem Miraloglu, MD, MS

Since their discovery, antibiotics have been a godsend in terms of eradicating infections and saving millions of lives. Without antibiotics, common infections and minor injuries used to be life-threatening, and surgeries and chemotherapy were nearly impossible. Today the tables have turned on us, whereas, 50 years ago we were reaping the benefits of antibiotics, in the past 2 decades antibiotic resistance has become one of the leading causes of death in the world for people of all ages.

To comprehend the weight of this problem, we must first understand what the gut microbiome is and the role it plays in human health and disease. The gut microbiome is comprised of almost 40 trillion bacterial cells and has anywhere from 500-1000 bacterial species comprising nearly 2 million genes. The gut microbiome contributes to human body functions such as digestion, metabolism, protection from pathogenic microbes, production of vitamins, as well as the regulation of the immune system and inflammatory reactions.

A healthy gut microbiome has high diversity, and any kind of disruption may lead to dysbiosis, an imbalance between the commensals (those bacteria which normally reside in and on us without harming us) and the pathogenic bacteria. Antibiotic use can reduce the diversity of the species in the gut microbiome, alter their activity and select and breed antibiotic-resistant organisms. Short term effects of antibiotic use include diarrhea, Clostridium Difficile infection, and antibiotic resistance, whereas long terms effects can be the development of allergic conditions, such as asthma, food allergies, and obesity.

The problem of antibiotic overuse and misuse does not only stem from treatment of human infections but mainly from their use within the animal industry. The amount of antibiotics used for human infections is four times less than the quantities used for breeding livestock. Antibiotics in the animal industry are added to the feed of animals to improve their growth. They accomplish this by inhibiting the growth of microbes in the gastrointestinal tract which triggers immune responses in the host. This in turn is cost-effective to the producer since more meat can be produced with the usage of less feed.

Antibiotic misuse in both animals and humans has led to a significant increase in antibiotic-developed resistance. This is where a particular antibiotic is no longer effective in treating an infection. The consequences are anywhere from increased human illness, suffering and death, increased cost and length of treatments, and increased side effects from the use of more powerful medications.

There are many suggested solutions to alleviate this ongoing health crisis. Some things you can consider to prevent further antibiotic resistance are:

Don’t rush to treat your runny nose or cough. Be sure that the antibiotic is necessary and not just convenient to use for shortening the duration of the infection. In up to 95% of the cases, bronchitis is viral and there is no cure for the common cold, it gets better on its own with over-the-counter remedies.
Consume antibiotic-free dairy and meat products, pasture-raised farm animals rather than factory-farmed animals
Ask your doctor to use a narrow spectrum antibiotic if possible to treat the most common organism causing that particular infection rather than a “shotgun” approach, using an antibiotic that kills all
Shortest effective duration of antibiotics (this does not mean discontinuing the antibiotics once feeling better, there are specific guidelines for a minimum duration of use for certain infections)
Adhere to the antibiotic prescription
Take a high-quality daily probiotic while on an antibiotic

Taking a high-quality probiotic as soon as you start antibiotics is another way to counteract the side effects of antibiotics. If you are able to, start taking probiotics a week before taking the antibiotics. Separate them out by two hours while on the antibiotics and continue for 3-4 weeks from the start of the antibiotics. After a month you can decrease the dose to your minimal effective dose for your optimal health outcomes. The probiotics help to restore some of the healthy gut microbiomes lost through antibiotic therapy. Strains of Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces (a beneficial yeast) can help mitigate antibiotic side effects. This in turn contributes to better adherence to antibiotic prescription thereby reducing the evolution of resistance.

Generating and maintaining diversity in the microbiota is a new clinical target for health promotion and disease prevention.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation FMT) is a therapy and is one of the main treatments against antibiotic-resistant infections. This is whereby stools either from the same individual before the antibiotic use or from a healthy donor are introduced orally or via enema or probiotics. This stems from the premise that the gut microbiota in healthy donors is dominated by a large number of probiotics. Many studies have shown that FMT restored both the gut microbiota composition and function in patients who suffered from recurrent Clostridium Difficile-associated diarrhea. Some studies have shown that the worldwide mean cure rates of FMT for diarrhea are approximately 91%. To date, this is better than any other treatment we have for antibiotic-associated C.Diff colitis.

We can envision in the not too distant future, antimicrobials and therapies which will be prescribed for their direct anti-pathogen benefit while simultaneously limiting collateral damage to the microbiome. Until then it is essential to keep our bodies healthy by taking good care of our gut microbiome.

Contact our office to schedule an appointment to learn more about optimizing your health.

Your Partner in Health!
Didem Miraloglu, MD, MS

Tag: Gut Health